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Surviving the Azalea Festival concerts

The Avett Brothers sold out last year's show at Trask Coliseum. StarNews file photo

Published: Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, April 5, 2013 at 2:43 p.m.

The biggest changes in the Azalea Festival this year involve the concerts. The committee has moved the concerts outside to a parking lot at Cape Fear Community College. The ticket prices are lower and there's room for more people, but there are some uncertainties with the new venue. Parking will be farther away from the venue, there are no seats and the weather could become a factor.

The Avett Brothers had already sold out the new venue before another 1,000 tickets were released for sale and Lynyrd Skynyrd tickets are selling well. The committee also added a third concert this year, featuring Colt Ford. Plus, there's a free beach music concert on Sunday.

What you need to know

Get there early: Traffic congestion and parking could slow you down. Arrive early and bring your walking shoes.

Wear comfortable shoes: You're going to be standing in a paved parking lot during the show. Stilettos might not be the best idea.

No chairs allowed: Chairs can not be brought into the venue. The only seats are for handicapped individuals. Official Azalea Festival lawn chairs will be for sale inside the gate, however, and they can be re-used if you attend more than one concert.

No coolers allowed: There will be food and beverages for sale inside the fence.

Don't forget about Sunday: Three beach bands – the Craig Woolard Band, Mark Roberts and Jim Quick and Coastline – will play a free concert at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Do the burrito dance: Flaming Amy's and the Paddy Wagon will both have food trucks at the site.

Enjoy the view: If it were a condo, it would be listed as "river view." The view is partially obstructed, but you're there to see the band anyway, and sight lines should be good. The lot has a four-degree slope.

<p>The biggest changes in the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/entertainment10"><b>Azalea Festival</b></a> this year involve the concerts. The committee has moved the concerts outside to a parking lot at <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9937"><b>Cape Fear Community College</b></a>. The ticket prices are lower and there's room for more people, but there are some uncertainties with the new venue. Parking will be farther away from the venue, there are no seats and the weather could become a factor. </p><p>The Avett Brothers had already sold out the new venue before another 1,000 tickets were released for sale and Lynyrd Skynyrd tickets are selling well. The committee also added a third concert this year, featuring Colt Ford. Plus, there's a free beach music concert on Sunday.</p><p>What you need to know</p><p>Get there early: Traffic congestion and parking could slow you down. Arrive early and bring your walking shoes.</p><p>Wear comfortable shoes: You're going to be standing in a paved parking lot during the show. Stilettos might not be the best idea.</p><p>No chairs allowed: Chairs can not be brought into the venue. The only seats are for handicapped individuals. Official Azalea Festival lawn chairs will be for sale inside the gate, however, and they can be re-used if you attend more than one concert.</p><p>No coolers allowed: There will be food and beverages for sale inside the fence.</p><p>Don't forget about Sunday: Three beach bands – the Craig Woolard Band, Mark Roberts and Jim Quick and Coastline – will play a free concert at 1 p.m. Sunday.</p><p>Do the burrito dance: Flaming Amy's and the Paddy Wagon will both have food trucks at the site.</p><p>Enjoy the view: If it were a condo, it would be listed as "river view." The view is partially obstructed, but you're there to see the band anyway, and sight lines should be good. The lot has a four-degree slope.</p>